For almost 40 years my passion was studying intermolecular forces and dynamics via a combination of molecular beam spectroscopy and quantum mechanical theory. When I started, theory was not yet able to predict where an Ar atom would stick onto a chorine molecule. We were able to measure that there was a “T-shaped” structure (Ar attached to the side) for this dimer by 1987. It turns out there is also a linear isomer, predicted by modern QM calculations but yet to be directly observed. We have observed both isomers of ArBr2, and others have observed both isomers of a variety of other noble gas-halogen species.

Recently, my research emphasis has shifted to the study gas clathrate-hydrate solid solutions. Gas hydrates consist of a reconstructed ice lattice that forms cages that can trap gas molecules. They were first discovered 200 years ago, but are receiving renewed attention due to huge deposits of methane hydrate in permafrost and marine sediments. We are interested in them because they are stabilized mostly by van der Waals forces, and yet exist above the melting point of ice.

Current projects include formation kinetics studies aimed at producing large amonts of hydrates in short times and NMR studies of the water molecules and guest dynamics as a function of temperature. Now that I am Dean of the School of Physical Sciences, I am no longer the primary advisor to either graduate students or postdoctoral fellows. However, I am always interested in collaborative projects with other faculty members in my general field of expertise.